PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM OF THE ADRENAL GLAND: EFFECT OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY AND ADMINISTRATION OF ACTH ON THE INCORPORATION OF RADIOACTIVE PHOSPHATE INTO THE RNA NUCLEOTIDES1

Abstract

The specific activity of the P of each of the 4 ribonucleic acid (RNA) nucleotides of the adrenal gland of hypophysectomized rats, relative to that of the adrenal inorganic phosphate, was decreased 16 hours after the administration of inorganic P32. These decreases were eliminated by a single injection of ACTH 4 hours before the administration of the P32. It is concluded that in the adrenal gland of hypophysectomized rats there is: (1) a decrease in the rate at which inorganic P32 passes from the extracellular to the cellular portion of the gland and (2) a decrease in the rate of formation of organic P compounds (e.g. lipid P, RNA nucleotides) from the cellular inorganic phosphate. It is suggested that these changes, and those in the opposite direction that follow the administration of ACTH, may reflect changes in the over-all energy metabolism of the adrenal gland, rather than specific effects on the constituent under study.